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Football London
Football London
Sport
Bobby Vincent

Gareth Southgate makes Harry Kane decision ahead of England's friendly with Romania

Gareth Southgate has rested Harry Kane this evening for England's final warm-up game against Romania.

The Three Lions play their first match of the Euros in a week's time when they go head-to-head with Croatia.

Southgate has not taken any chances with Kane this evening, with the match being a friendly, especially given what happened with Trent Alexander-Arnold a few days ago.

Liverpool defender Alexander-Arnold limped out of England's friendly win against Austria with a thigh problem and has been ruled out for around six weeks, meaning he will have to sit out of the upcoming Euros.

Considering Kane's track record with ankle injuries, it is hardly surprising that Southgate has made this decision, as he looks for the Tottenham talisman to be in peak physical condition for the international tournament.

Southgate, when asked about Kane's fitness at the moment, issued an update on where they see the striker.

"He was following an individual programme," the England boss said on Kane.

"Across the group we have three or four players who, on different days, might miss elements of training, but there are no concerns.

"I don't think we'll involve him. The plan is not to involve him in the game, so that has allowed him to do some gym-based work."

Here is the England XI to face Romania: Sam Johnstone, Ben Godfrey, Luke Shaw, Kalvin Phillips, Tyrone Mings, Ben White, Jadon Sancho, James Ward-Prowse, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford.

Kane, who is on the bench for the game, is coming into the tournament fresh off the back of securing his third golden boot after another superb campaign for Spurs.

The 27-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, finished the season on 23 goals - one ahead of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.

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